Unsanitary Sink Condition in Resident Room Due to Damaged Surface
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency was identified when a resident's room was found to have a sink with the Formica surface stripped off, leaving exposed rough wood. Observations confirmed the unsanitary condition, and interviews with facility staff, including the Director of Nursing (DON), Maintenance Assistant, and a Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN), acknowledged the presence of chipped and water-damaged wood. The exposed wood was noted to be a potential site for mold growth and was considered unacceptable by staff due to the risk of infection and possible harm to both residents and staff. The resident involved had a history of acute chronic hypoxic respiratory failure, hypertension, and seizures, and was assessed as severely impaired in cognitive skills and dependent on staff for daily living activities. The facility's own policy and procedure for management of the environment of care emphasized the importance of maintaining a safe, comfortable, and appropriately furnished environment, which staff admitted was not met in this instance.